wahine

[ wah-hee-nee, -ney ]

noun

, plural wa·hi·ne.

1. (in Hawaii and Polynesia) a girl or young woman.
2. Slang. a young woman surfer.

wahine

/ wɑːˈhiːnɪ /

noun

1. (esp in the Pacific islands) a Polynesian or Māori woman, esp a girlfriend or wife

Word History and Origins

Origin of wahine¹

Borrowed into English from Polynesian around 1835–45

Word History and Origins

Origin of wahine¹

C19: from Māori and Hawaiian

Example Sentences

“As a Wahine Maori, a Maori woman, my relationship with water is deep. Our creation story pays homage to water. I can trace my lineage back to when I was water. And so we honour that connection and that’s why we often say Ko Wai Mātou. We are water.”

From National Geographic

She claimed the MVP award at the Rainbow Wahine Showdown last month and tallied a season-high 20 points during UW’s 60-55 win against then-No.

From Seattle Times

In their first game back at home after winning the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu, the Washington women’s basketball team started the game on a 10-0 run and rolled to a 63-39 victory over San Francisco on Saturday to remain unbeaten.

From Seattle Times

The Washington women’s basketball team improved to 7-0 after they were named the winners of the Rainbow Wahine Showdown.

From Seattle Times

PT Sunday in its final game of the Rainbow Wahine Showdown.

From Seattle Times